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Before I can say anything, I’m cut off by an all-too-familiar voice.

“Ha! Finally caught you two in the act.”

Both Ira and I frown. Eve Warner, on the other hand, is grinning like she discovered the secret of all moon landing conspiracies.

My frown is an embarrassment. Eve knows that I’m seeing Ira, but she has no idea about the BDSM aspect. Why would she? Ira and I are supposed to be Dommes. No way she would submit to me, so why would I submit to her?

Ira is frowning because Eve loves making her life hell.

“Yes, you caught us.” Ira takes her hand off me and holds both in the air as if Eve were holding a gun. “Two consenting adults having lunch together.”

Eve looks at me. “Haven’t heard from you in a while, dearest Kathleen. This one taking up all your time?”

“Hardly.” I clear my throat. “I mean, you’ve been busy with school.”

“Uh-huh. I’ve got another break right now, though, so I’m meeting some schoolmates here for lunch soon. Ah, but when I saw you two, I had to come by and say hello.” Eve sends a killer wink in Ira’s direction. “Treat her well, Mathison. Keep in mind that I’m the one she comes crying to when things go to shit.”

I expect her to walk off, but she continues to stand there, her eyes going from purely mischievous to… calculating. Never let it be said that Eve Warner can’t read bullshit from half a mile away. It’s what will make her a formidable businesswoman once she starts that path in life.

For now, it makes her an insufferable friend, because I can practically see her sniffing out Ira’s scent all over me.

“Well, I best be going. Too-da-loo.”

She disappears around a corner, and Ira puts her hand back on me as if that’s over with. I know better.

My phone buzzes in my purse. I stare down at Eve’s message before our food arrives.

“So, how long have you been letting this assbutt dominate you, sweetie?”

I put my phone away without responding. Ira senses my tension and whispers something that both relieves and ignites me.

“Don’t worry, Katie. I’ll make you forget everything tonight.”

Oh, boy.

Chapter 62

Kathleen

Ihaven’t been out of Ira’s shower for five minutes before she appears at the bathroom door and hooks her finger in my direction.

Even though I’ve got a toothbrush sticking out of my mouth, I go to her, because what else am I going to do with this collar around my throat?

“Have I displeased you, Mistress?” I flutter my eyelashes for the fun of it.

I can’t tell if she’s amused or not. “Hardly. I’ve been quite pleased with you all day.”

My hand goes to her shoulder, touching her through the cotton of her fine T-shirt. We both dressed down when we got back to her condo, but aside from Ira telling me to clean myself up, she hasn’t asked anything else of me since we left work. Tomorrow is the last day of my supposed training. I would think she’d want something more than a screw in the closet.

Plus, there’s that promise she made me earlier.

I still haven’t responded to Eve. She also hasn’t pestered me any further. Which means she wasn’t teasing. She was 100% serious when she deduced that Ira and I are in a kinky relationship, with me relenting control.

I don’t want – or need – to know what she really thinks of that. I guess the door has been left open for discussion should I choose to deal with it.

“Well, I aim to please.” My hand lingers on her arm, feeling her toned muscles and wondering how much I want her to lie on top of me. Even if we don’t have sex, it might be nice to make out until the sun comes up again. “Thank goodness you’re an easy one to please.”

“I am, aren’t I?” Ira takes my hair out of its twist, held up for my shower so I could keep it dry. “There’s something to be said for being easily pleased. Namely, I am rarely disappointed by the good things in life.”